Author: appsphilly.net

The Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools is a grass-roots organization of parents, community members, and school staff—including teachers, school nurses, librarians, counselors and safety staff—dedicated to the preservation of public schools. APPS is an independent organization with no political or union affiliation. We are entirely self-funded and do not take financial donations from outside sources. All members donate their time and receive no salary.

Southwest Leadership Academy Charter Non-Renewal Hearing Report

by Lynda Rubin

Southwest Leadership Academy Charter School (SLACS) has had less than stellar academic and financial accomplishments for years. The K-8 school in Southwest Philadelphia was originally authorized by the SRC in 2007 as a K-6 at one location, but currently operates out of two rented facilities, (Gr. 3-8) 7107 Paschall Ave, 19142 (its original location) and (Gr K-2) 6901 Woodland Ave, 19142. It has a City-wide admissions designation, but students reside mainly in the local geographical areas and Delaware County (to which some prior students moved while attending SLACS and continued at SLACS). The school’s student composition is 89% African American, 7% Hispanic and 4% White. Asian Pacific and Multiracial. 13% have special needs, 4% are English Language Learners (ELL) and 69% of the population lives in poverty status.

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Board Must Deny All New Charter Applications from Global Leadership, Aspira and Perseverance

by Deborah Grill, Lisa Haver and Diane Payne

This district opened its first charter school in 1998.  Every year, those lobbying for and profiting from the privatization of public schools have promised to improve education for the city’s children.  They said that the district had an obligation to create charters for the good of the children and the community.  Twenty-five years later, we can see that the charter experiment foisted upon the city and its families has failed.  Because of the backing of well-funded PACs and special interest groups, with their increasing political influence, charters have avoided accountability to the same communities they made 6their promises to.  

The district has had many years to learn that the aspirational language of charter apps is rarely achieved.  Charter renewal evaluations don’t measure whether the schools have fulfilled their promises of innovation; they cite standardized test scores and other data. 

To read the reports on the applications click here

Include Reports From Offices at 440 About Ongoing Projects and Initiatives

School District of Philadelphia Board of Education Action Meeting Written Testimony

January 26, 2023

by Dr. Cheri Micheau

As I have mentioned numerous times, it would be very helpful to the public if Board meetings could include reports from various offices at 440 about ongoing projects and initiatives, as well as reorganization and important changes.  Following are several requests for information that should be a part of updates at upcoming meetings:

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Pathways to Safety

Remarks to Philadelphia Board of Education and
Superintendent Dr. Tony Watlington
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools (APPS)
Grand and God Parent of Students in Philadelphia public schools,
grades 3, 5 and 8.
Kindergartner starts in the fall

by Barbara McDowell Dowdall

We learn every day that no one is safe in our gun mad United States,
including Philadelphia — both inside and outside our schools. APPS
member families and their students have been no exception to these
tragedies.
It is understandable that the Board this evening is considering taking
action in a variety of areas: Active Shooter Training (sounds horrifying)
that will include “age appropriate books and activities for elementary
aged students related to active shooter and emergency response
preparation,” additional funds to the Philadelphia Police Department, and…

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